3 Ways To Avoid A DIY Plumbing Nightmare
How would you cope without a fully functioning plumbing system?
From washing your clothes to getting a shower, you rely on your plumbing to work correctly. When something goes wrong then, be it a blockage in your pipes or a problem with low water pressure, you might be tempted to get on top of such situations yourself. And this is all well and good, assuming you know what you’re doing. If not, you might end up with a DIY plumbing nightmare.
So, to avoid a potential disaster, consider the following suggestions.
#1: Always turn your water off
Do you know where your water shut-off valve is? Most plumbing projects require you to turn off your home’s water supply first, so you do need to locate the valve in question. The same applies should your pipes suddently spring a leak, as you shouldn’t waste time trying to patch them up. If you don’t turn off the water supply, then you are going to face the consequences, by which we mean potential flooding and water damage to your home. To avoid any problems then, find out where your shut-off valve is, and turn it clockwise to turn off your water. This plumbing tutorial might prove useful to you.
#2: Don’t take on any jobs you aren’t sure about
There are some plumbing jobs you might be able to do yourself. It’s relatively easy to unblock a sink with a plunger, for example, and changing the washer on your leaky faucet might be within your capabilities. On the other hand, there are some tasks that you shouldn’t manage alone if you don’t know what to do, or if you don’t know what parts you need to complete a job.
So, in the event of low water pressure, for example, you should consult a plumber to find out about and install the relevant domestic water booster pumps you need. You might only buy the wrong size for your home otherwise, and your installation attempts might result in damage if you lack clarity in what you are doing.
Similarly, don’t mess with the plumbing when you are making any home improvements. So, when working on a bathroom makeover, you might have the skills needed to paint the walls and add new flooring. But could you plumb in a new toilet? Could you relocate the pipework when moving a sink? Probably not, so do the sensible thing and call in a plumber.
#3: Take steps to protect your plumbing
You won’t need to face a potential plumbing disaster if you take steps to protect your plumbing, so think of this in two ways.
Firstly, commit to a little home maintenance, perhaps by insulating your water supply pipes so they don’t freeze over and crack during the winter period. There is advice in the linked article to enable you to do so. You should also call on a plumber to replace any old pipes in your system, as you will then be less likely to fall prey to any plumbing problems down the line.
Secondly, conform to good habits to prevent any blockages. So, don’t allow your hair to fall down your bathroom drain when you’re taking a bath or shower. Use a drain sink strainer to prevent any blocked pipe issues. And when you are washing your dishes, be sure to wipe away any excess food into the trash first, as again, you might only cause a pipe blockage otherwise.
By taking these steps, you won’t need to attempt any DIY on your plumbing (and run the risk of a potential disaster) as everything should be working perfectly.
Thanks for reading!
